World War II Honoree

Jack Eugene Cockerel

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Clay City, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE ON MAY 5, 1944 AT NAVAL RECEIVING STATION, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BOOT CAMP AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS AND FURTHER TRAINED AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION, FARRAGUT, IDAHO. ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED ABOARD THE ATTACK TRANSPORT USS SUMTER APA-52 AND HEAVY CRUISER USS BALTIMORE CA-68. EARNED THE COMBAT ACTION RIBBON (RETROACTIVELY AWARDED BY 1999 ACT OF CONGRESS), AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SEAMAN FIRST CLASS ON MARCH 12, 1946 AT THE NAVAL PERSONNEL SEPARATION CENTER, SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI.